1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-ruling
Xi also wants to focus on Washington’s stance on Taiwan, the self-ruling democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026
But the real change might be in East Asia, where Kim’s belligerence and rising fears regarding China’s designs on self-ruling Taiwan had already reenergized the nuclear debate.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
-
Former President Joe Biden's actions included blacklisting and sanctioning some spyware companies and personnel, an executive order limiting the government's use of commercial spyware and leading an international agreement with other democratic countries to counter the misuse of such tools.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
19 May 2026
-
While that’s a tension that has been expected to percolate between the billionaire class and new socialist democratic mayor, real estate sales in the city remain strong.—
Trevor Laurence Jockims,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Jeffries first looked to California, where an independent commission had drawn a map that, in 2024, gave Democrats forty-three of the state’s fifty-two congressional seats.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
By the start of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman second season in the fall of 1976, the show had expanded to 125 independent markets, now putting it in front of a potential fifty-five million households.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
That sky-high multiple is based on investors’ belief in Musk’s ambition to transform Tesla into an autonomous vehicle and robotics company that also makes EVs.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
It is built on the XPENG GX platform and engineered to L4 autonomous driving standards.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Insurers looking to deny a claim because of war exclusions, typically must demonstrate that an attack was carried out by a sovereign government or under its direction or control.—
Contessa Brewer,Dawn Giel,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
Even in the event of a return to prewar maritime traffic, Iran now views the strait as sovereign territory and as a primary source of strategic leverage.—
Dr. Robert Mogielnicki,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said emergency responders treated victims at four separate shooting scenes across the city.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
This Bagsmart travel jewelry organizer has separate, dedicated pockets and compartments for your rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, and folds up into a compact pouch for easy packing.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
